I was going to title this the American way but it denotes a world wide problem. No I have not lost my house yet, but with the ongoing City of Detroit financial troubles which far outstrip any other in the nation (except maybe the State of Illinois) at $20 billion in debt over 1/3 of my income and health care are on the block along with 20,000 other retired pensioners. Detroit is now run by a state appointed Emergency Manger who has final say outside of bankruptcy court over everything that happens in the city. No just with finances but EVERYTHING. Elected officials are jumping ship faster than rats on ratline.

No one knows any specific details about what is happening, only the vague warnings about what is to come. The governor who appointed this EM is an extreme conservative on social issues and has no qualms about extracting as much off the middle class back to pay bond holder debt. Bonds that were both foolishly sold and foolishly bought. At near 60 yrs old I doubt we have the ability to get away from here. There is a continuing exodus out of the neighborhoods no one but a Detroiter would sell me house for the 10k I maybe could sell mine for and somehow a 30 year mortgage just doesn't seem personally practical for us. But yes in the near future it may be impossible to pay the property taxes and insurances. *shrug* Fuck 'em.

I have seen people living under the bridge & its not a pretty sight ~ Too bad on your government's debts & problems Mark ~ I have to pay property taxes for the next 3 months, so money will have to be carefully monitored ~ Hope you are fine ~

Over the years while living in New England, I've cared for the "troll" population. It is a hard, mean life. Bad for everyone but especially bad for elders (and they are out there too) and all the women living under the bridge and over the heat grates in cities every where. Anyone who thinks they are safe from a cardboard box house under cement structures still doesn't get the concept that it could be any middle class humanoid one pay check away from housing and financial disaster. I've been following the financila woes of Detroit since you started this series of poems about your concerns. What a mess! I'm so sorry that you are at the stress end of this long stupid chain of events.

make come and get you...ugh man...it is a hard reality and soon enough it will spread from there when the other jackals see it work...as to rosaria's comment...we vote for who we are allowed to vote for--and they put in front of us...and call it freedom...

Property taxes are a scary thing. You can control what you choose to pay for a house to some degree, and you can make sure the mortgage doesn't have any balloon clauses or anything, but you can't do diddly squat to what the government charges.

Mark, the dire straits of America's once great cities is chilling. I hope that things don't go any further downhill but I am such an optimist. "Michigan seems like a dream to me now"--always liked that song about looking for America. Prophetic.

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About Me

If you want an answer there has to be a question first. Ergo if there is no question then there is no answer.
Find your stride and balance and you will find that the bars you set just beyond your grasp come within reach as you grow.